BEng Structural and Fire Safety Engineering
UCAS code: HH21
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: Full-time
School: Engineering
College: Science and Engineering
Introducing BEng Structural and Fire Safety Engineering
Structural and fire safety is very wide-ranging and impacts on our daily lives in diverse and unexpected ways.
You will gain a valuable grounding in civil and environmental engineering and learn how to mitigate fire risk through infrastructure:
- design
- construction
- protection
This programme builds on many of the fundamental concepts of civil and environmental engineering.
You will learn how to apply scientific knowledge and modern engineering tools to design, analyse, construct, and maintain all major forms of infrastructure.
This will allow you to determine the effects of modern construction methods and materials on the safety of buildings and infrastructure.
You will take specific structural and fire safety engineering courses from Year 3 onwards.
Why Edinburgh?
This programme draws on our areas of particular expertise in the traditional areas of:
- transport
- tunnels
- bridges
- buildings
and combines these areas with our unique expertise in fire safety and structural fire engineering.
You will also study emerging areas, such as:
- structural engineering
- advanced geotechnical investigation and design
- use of novel and sustainable materials
- advanced numerical modelling for structures
Ties to industry
We have strong industrial engagement through our Industrial Advisory Board and industrial input to our teaching, including our design projects.
You will also have opportunities to interact with recent graduates who are now working in industry.
Our community
We offer a close-knit, supportive community to develop your engineering skills.
Accreditation
BEng Structural and Fire Safety Engineering fully meets the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meets the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer. It is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), on behalf of the Engineering Council, comprising the:
- Institution of Civil Engineers
- Institution of Structural Engineers
- Institute of Highway Engineers
- Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
Candidates must hold a masters or doctorate accredited as further learning for CEng to hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration.
Curriculum renewal
We are undertaking an ongoing curriculum renewal, which may result in changes to this degree programme.
The renewal is being carried out with:
- our industrial partners
- accreditation bodies
- students
This renewal makes sure we equip you for an exciting career in the ever-changing world of engineering.
Year 1
Engineers are creative problem-solvers. They are skilled at working in interdisciplinary teams to deal with society's ever more complex challenges.
Introductory courses
In Year 1, you will take introductory courses and develop skills that you will later rely on as a professional engineer, including:
- confidence
- advanced thinking
- teamwork
- problem-solving skills
Engineering Principles
In this course, you will experience a wide range of challenges and develop essential engineering skills. Plus, you will understand the subject's breadth, as well as the role of your chosen discipline.
Engineering Design
In this course, you will work as part of a team on an interdisciplinary engineering task. You will get involved in design and use your engineering judgement to test your solution.
Additional courses
You will also study mathematical topics that have particular relevance to engineers.
You will choose courses from across the University to complement your engineering studies, with options available in the sciences, arts and humanities.
Year 2
In Year 2, you will specialise in core civil engineering topics, usually including:
- structural engineering
- geotechnical engineering
- tools for engineering design
- environmental engineering and sustainability
These courses prepare you for further specialisation at honours level. They cover technical concepts and, where possible, give you the opportunity to apply these in a practical situation.
Usually you will also study programming to develop your skills in computer control and simulation, essentials in the engineer's toolkit, as well as:
- engineering mathematics
- essential professional skills for engineers
- two further electives from within the School of Engineering, including fire science and engineering
Second year entry
Our course structure is designed in such a way that we permit Year 2 direct entry for students. Direct entry students perform just as well as those progressing from Year 1.
The entry requirements for Year 2 entry are higher to ensure that students have the necessary knowledge to start at this level.
Year 3
You will focus entirely on the study of core materials in structural engineering and fire safety engineering.
This is supplemented by your choice of an option course from within the discipline.
Progression routes
At the end of Year 3, you will have the option to complete one more year for a BEng degree, or a further two years for an MEng degree.
The latter is subject to you achieving an average of 55% or higher in Year 3.
Year 4
In Year 4, you will:
- take specialist courses in fire science and fire safety engineering and continue to study structural engineering
- choose two option courses from within the discipline or beyond
- complete a substantial design project, supported by experienced industrialists
A third of your Year 4 credits will be allocated to your honours thesis. Your thesis should be an original study of a challenging engineering problem.
Programme structure
Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.
To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.
Our facilities
In Year 1,the majority of your learning will take place at the King’s Buildings campus, depending on courses selected. The King’s Buildings campus is around 15 minutes from central Edinburgh by bus or bike.
You may also study at various University campus locations in the vibrant city of Edinburgh, depending on the option courses selected.
Access to facilities
You can access the University's:
- libraries
- study spaces (some study spaces are open 24 hours)
- IT facilities
- social spaces
- leisure facilities
- the brand-new shared learning, teaching and social hub, the Nucleus
Take a virtual tour of our school
You can take a closer look at the School of Engineering and explore our facilities and campus on the University's Virtual Visit site.
Virtual visit – School of Engineering
Study abroad
In Year 3, you will have exciting opportunities to study abroad through the University's international exchange programmes.
Many of our students spend their third year abroad in Europe or further afield gaining invaluable academic and life skills.
How will I learn?
The exciting nature of engineering means you will have a diverse learning experience throughout your degree.
Teaching can be through a mixture of:
- lectures
- tutorials
- laboratory sessions
- projects
- group work
In your final years, you will dedicate more time to private study. So you will need to be well-motivated and organised.
You will also receive individual supervision with projects.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through coursework and examinations.
For detailed information please review the Programme Structure - Degree Programme Table to see compulsory and option courses. You can find this information under 'What you will study'.
Refer to individual course details to see the types of assessment included.
Studying engineering at the University of Edinburgh prepares you for a career as a professional engineer in the UK or abroad. Some of the companies our recent graduates have gone on to work in include:
- Balfour Beatty
- Deloitte
- Halcrow
- Network Rail
- UBS
All our courses meet the requirements of the UK's professional engineering bodies.
On graduating from this programme, you will have:
- core thorough knowledge
- analytical skills
- practical skills
- design skills
- communication skills
This enables you to join a design, production or research team; or move rapidly into management and leadership roles.
On the other hand, many of our graduates go on to work in other areas, including:
- the civil service
- education
- the armed forces
- the financial sector
Careers Service
We support you to recognise the wealth of possibilities ahead, during your time at the University and after graduation.
Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your wider student experience and provides:
- tailored advice
- individual guidance and personal assistance
- internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
- access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network
We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree and studying at the University of Edinburgh will lay the foundations for your future success.
Internships
We encourage you to undertake relevant work experience during your degree.
We advertise internship opportunities and arrange company presentations with the Careers Service.
We support you in developing graduate skills through our Edinburgh Award for Civil and Environmental Engineering Industrial Placements. These placements will be recognised on your academic transcript.
Standard entry requirement
The standard entry requirement is:
- SQA Highers: AABB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
- A Levels: AAA - ABB.
- IB: 37 points with 666 at HL - 32 points with 555 at HL.
Minimum entry requirement
The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:
- SQA Highers: AABB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
- A Levels: ABB.
- IB: 32 points with 555 at HL.
More information for widening access applicants
Required subjects
The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:
- SQA: Highers: Mathematics at A and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Engineering Science at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: Physics or Engineering Science at B and English at C.
- A Levels: Mathematics and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science/Computing, Design & Technology (excluding Food Technology) or Engineering at B. GCSEs: Physics or Science at B or 6 and English at C or 4.
- IB: HL: Mathematics (Analysis and approaches only) and one of Physics (preferred), Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science or Design Technology at 5. SL: Physics at 5 (if not at HL) and English at 5.
Find out more about entry requirements
International applicants
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Mature applicants
We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.
For direct entry to second year the standard requirements must be exceeded, including the following:
- SQA Advanced Highers: AA to include Mathematics and either Physics, Engineering Science, or Technological Studies.
- A Levels: A*AA in one set of exams to include Mathematics and either Physics, Engineering, or Design & Technology (excluding Food Technology), or AAA in one set of exams to include Mathematics, Further Mathematics and either Physics, Engineering, or Design & Technology (excluding Food Technology).
- IB: 38 points with 666 at HL to include Mathematics (Analysis and approaches only) and Physics or Design Technology at 6.
Other entry pathways
Entry to many degrees in Science & Engineering is possible via other qualifications (eg HNC/D, Access, SWAP).
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.
SQA, GCSE and IB
For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:
- SQA National 5 at C
- GCSE at C or 4
- Level 2 Certificate at C
- IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
- PTE Academic (including Online): total 62 with at least 54 in each component.
We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.
English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.
It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.
Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for BEng Structural and Fire Safety Engineering
Additional costs
There is a surveying field trip in Year 2.
The cost is approximately £250, covering:
- transport
- accommodation
- materials
- other subsistence
Funding
For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.
- Have a query about undergraduate study?
- Send an enquiry
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